The Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) joined with the SHCA to raise the volume on our message regarding provincial infrastructure funding.
SARM has called on the provincial government to increase funding for rural roads and bridges. It said that without urgent attention, there will be significant economic and social consequences for Saskatchewan.
Background
Saskatchewan rural municipalities (RMs) are responsible for 164,000 kilometres of roads, Canada’s largest road network and 1280 bridge structures.
Unfortunately, given the current level of provincial funding that’s dedicated to rural infrastructure, we have not been able to keep up:
60 per cent of rural bridges are at, or beyond, their expected service lifespan and need to be replaced to avoid safety hazards or a serious disruption in our export of products.
Our roads connect our rural population to each other and to urban centres – maintaining this connection is critical.
Our province’s economic generators (mining, agriculture, oil and gas, manufacturing, ag tech, etc.) need connection to urban centres and to export markets. Healthy infrastructure is essential for exporting our goods and supporting jobs in the province.
Without further aid, Saskatchewan’s economy will suffer, and we will face serious economic and social consequences.
As we all know, this isn’t limited to rural infrastructure. Urban infrastructure is also in urgent need of investment.
Saskatchewan’s Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) has numerous resolutions from its convention calling on more provincial support, especially for its urgent construction projects.
Government funding is seriously lagging the great infrastructure needs in Saskatchewan.
Our industry has been asking for a long-term, serious commitment to building and maintaining our provincial infrastructure, and our municipalities are saying that the situation is reaching near-crisis levels.
Government Funding Ignores Inflation
SARM points out that funding for the rural road program decreased from $25M in 2009-2014 to $15M from 2015-2023. While there was a modest increase in funding in the 2024/2025 program year (to $17.4M), this funding does not consider one of our members biggest problems – inflation.
As it relates to rural infrastructure:
The cost of building a bridge per square foot increased by 36 per cent between 2010 and 2020 and another 25 per cent between 2020 and 2022.
Road construction costs also increased. Many members report stark increases in their costs (fuel, materials, labour, etc.). This has resulted in our members withdrawing from bidding on some municipal projects because government funding doesn’t support the actual costs of the project.
Inflationary costs that our members reflect in their bid pricing isn’t adequately addressed in the funding that government provides to rural and urban municipalities.
This leads to fewer projects being tendered and creates great uncertainty for our members as they can’t plan, and adequately provide for, projects in the future.
The larger implications are that Saskatchewan people, who are working hard to produce fuel, fertilizer and food, are deeply concerned about how we will move our goods to the world markets.
They are also concerned about their critical connections to urban centres.
An Election Request
So, I am asking that during this provincial election, if you come face-to-face with a candidate who is running to become a member of legislative assembly, please take the time to ask them for their help in giving our province’s infrastructure the attention it needs.
Remind candidates that it is not only possible, but imperative, to build and support all the infrastructure required to help Saskatchewan remain competitive on the world stage.
Tell them if we don’t keep up, our province’s growth plan and future prosperity is at risk.
We need to look for government leaders who have the vision to build modern infrastructure that connects supply chains, moves goods, supports job creation and ensures our economy will continue to grow.
We also need government leaders who will preserve and enhance the quality of life we enjoy in Saskatchewan that often requires connectivity between rural and urban Saskatchewan.
During this campaign, we are hearing all politicians, regardless of their political stripe, painting a picture of how their leadership will improve our quality of life.
But that requires infrastructure investment – please take the time to remind them of this.
On July 22, 2024, Bourgault Industries Ltd. o/a Highline Manufacturing Ltd. pleaded guilty in Saskatoon provincial court to one violation of The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2020.
Bourgault Industries Ltd. o/a Highline Manufacturing Ltd. was fined for contravening clause 3-1 (a) of the regulations (being an employer, failure to comply with the duties of an employer at a place of employment including the provision and maintenance of a plant, systems of work and working environments that ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of the employers workers, resulting in the serious injury of a worker).
Two other charges were withdrawn.
The court imposed a fine of $46,428.57 with a $18,571.43 surcharge, for a total amount of $65,000.
The charges stemmed from an incident that occurred on June 22, 2022, in Vonda, Sask., when a worker was seriously injured while flushing highly flammable solvent through an electrostatic paint gun.
The Saskatchewan Common Ground Alliance (SCGA) often hears, “What can I share at a safety meeting?” or “What is a good topic to discuss during our tailgate meetings?”
The SCGA has many made-in-Saskatchewan videos prepared for anyone’s use, why not check out the SCGA YouTube channel and choose a playlist! There is great content for any safety related meetings.
The SCGA and its 109 members, which include the province’s pipeline and utility companies, continue to advocate for Click Before You Dig and Dig Safe Best Practices.
The SCGA wants to be sure those frontline workers, safety managers, emergency personnel and the public are aware of the importance of working safely around underground and overhead infrastructure.
On July 10, 2024, the Village of Laird pleaded guilty in Rosthern provincial court to two violations of The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2020.
The village was fined for contravening subsection 3-6(1) of the regulations (being an employer, failure to ensure that all work at a place of employment is sufficiently and competently supervised, resulting in the serious injury of a worker), as well as contravening clause 11-4(b) of the regulations (being an employer, failure to ensure that if a defect or unsafe condition that may create a hazard to a worker is identified in the powered mobile equipment, steps are taken immediately to protect the health and safety of any worker who may be at risk until the defect is repaired or the unsafe condition is corrected and as soon as is reasonably practicable, the defect is repaired or the unsafe condition is corrected, resulting in the serious injury of a worker).
The court imposed a fine of $53,571.43 with a surcharge of $21,428.57 for each violation, for a total amount of $150,000.
Two other charges were withdrawn.
The charges stemmed from an incident that occurred on July 19, 2022, in Laird, Sask., when a worker was seriously injured after they were ejected from the seat of a mower and became trapped beneath it
“We actually do have a contractor up there right now and we’re spending some dollars fixing some really bad sections on the road,” said Highways Minister Lori Carr. “It is my understanding right now that the road is in fairly good shape, it’s passable, and people are able to get back and forth.”
Did you almost float away? With so many days of rain this spring and early summer, I would not be surprised if you felt like it was time to build an ark when I know you would rather be building highways.
While farmers love getting rain – especially after dry years – to boost their productivity, we know that in heavy construction, you find yourself in the opposite position. Days of rain mean you can’t be as productive as you would be during a string of sunny or overcast days. That puts you behind on your progress as your completion date on your highway project creeps closer.
I am making sure the government understands the ripple effect of a delay caused by days of rain. While you are trying to plan carefully, find efficiency and manage your resources among the rain, I know your costs start adding up. With employees waiting around in hotel rooms for the intense rain to pass (sometimes over long weekends and holidays), and traffic lights and equipment waiting to be installed, with your teams being unable to do so, I know this is just the tip of the iceberg.
My job is to advocate for you. With the provincial election coming this fall, we can’t afford to wait to see what the Ministry of Highways might offer in this situation. Pushing for this conversation now puts us in a better position than if we waited until after the election, when we are in November.
I requested an in-person meeting in mid-July to discuss the requests our association has on behalf of the whole industry. In advance of that meeting, I requested that the ministry grant an extension on some project completion dates without imposing penalties on contractors to help contractors make up for lost time.
For extreme cases, I requested an extension of up to 90 days. For all other projects, I requested 30 to 60 days. Exactly how long each project’s completion would be delayed by would be negotiated between the contractor and the ministry. This is a recommendation I have requested be put into policy to set a precedent for future extreme weather-related delays.
I pointed out that these have been unforeseen weather challenges, and that a practical and compassionate approach to managing project timelines this season would provide you much needed flexibility to complete projects to the required standards without compromising safety or quality. Allowing for additional time would enable you to plan more effectively around future unpredictable weather patterns, ensuring your work can proceed smoothly during periods of favourable conditions.
I asked the ministry to suspend cold weather paving restrictions in October and to waive the 14-day requirement for preliminary notice for weather related claims for 2024.
Another request I made was for the ministry to prorate site occupancy based on an agreed percentage. This would mean that we arrive at a percentage using the number of rainy days that are more than typical weather for the season. Then, the site occupancy bid days would be increased by that percentage.
Then there is the Contractor Performance Evaluation guide. It is time for adjustments to be made to the guide and the scoring system. I have reviewed it closely and proposed a series of changes to the wording to clarify what is being stated. I am also monitoring the impact of weather delays on the current construction season’s budget, as well as any potential impact on next year’s budget if there is a significant amount of carry-over due to the weather delays. Each opportunity I get, I raise the industry’s capacity.
It would great if the fall tenders could be released earlier to give contractors some certainty of work. This being an election year, I know there is valuable time lost when the writ drops, which is expected to happen in September. The election is to be held on or before Oct. 28, 2024 (this is also another reason why we as an association persist in asking the ministry to release infrastructure timelines that are at least three years into the future).
Members of the SHCA’s board joined me for that meeting. So far, what we heard is that ministry officials would like to monitor progress on projects as well as the weather. They also shared that currently, they are overbudget on projects, but that is on tendered work, not awarded, so we will see how it all sorts out in time. While we were unable to secure commitments on that day, I provided our written recommendations to the ministry for future consideration and discussion. We will meet with ministry officials again this month to discuss this further. I will keep you up to date on those developments as I have more to share.
Football fans know that the view of the game is much different up in the stands compared to what you can see on the sidelines of the field.
Football coaches know this even better. The value of having an eye in the sky to have a view of the entire field can be exactly what some coaches need to figure out a way for their team to win. Having someone in the booth to call plays based on that vantage point can make a big difference in the outcome of their team’s game.
Getting a different view of the field can be advantageous when running a business, too, but that can be easier said than done. Running a business can take up so much time and attention, and it can be hard to find the occasions and resources to get an accurate perspective about what is happening beyond the business.
However, it is crucial for the success of the business to pop your head up, look around and observe, to get a view of what is happening on the field. Seeing beyond what is immediately going on can give the perspective a business owner needs to find solutions to overcome current challenges and recognize issues that are on the way.
The easiest way to get an in-depth view beyond the day-to-day activities of a business is to be a member of an industry association, such as the SHCA. An industry association has a view of the broader industry and more, and is set up to share that outlook with members to help them be more successful.
Industry associations provide important context to their members who are trying to understand and cope with the forces and challenges each of them encounters in business. Those forces and challenges could be understanding evolving customer interests, navigating human resources and labour issues, securing valuable partnerships or any one of the many complex and evolving situations a member might find themselves in.
Getting a team on the field
SHCA members run businesses that are about more than building roads and infrastructure. These businesses contribute to building the economy. Collectively, the businesses that make up the heavy construction industry add more than $6 billion to Saskatchewan’s gross domestic product, supporting tens of thousands of jobs and providing $1.5 billion of income.
These figures come from the most recent economic impact analysis that was done by Praxis for the SHCA. Research like this benefits the industry and members by establishing the scale and significance of the work they are doing.
Collectively, the businesses that make up the heavy construction industry add more than $6 billion to Saskatchewan’s gross domestic product, supporting tens of thousands of jobs and providing $1.5 billion of income.
Research lends added credibility to members’ interests and experiences, but it also serves customers of the industry by helping them better understand it and the businesses that form it. Other research, such as collecting and analyzing data that can help the industry come up with answers and propose influential solutions for major economic challenges, is also important.
Having access to the major leagues is possible through a membership with the SHCA. Becoming an SHCA member automatically provides an integrated membership to the WCR&HCA as well as the Canadian Construction Association (CCA), both of whom were a part the Shovel Worthy report and advocacy.
Getting in the game
The Shovel Worthy report was developed to get it in front of and be seriously considered by the federal and provincial governments as a plan for how Canada can return to its place in the top 10 of global trade infrastructure rankings, which is needed to restore the confidence of Canada’s trade customers.
Getting in the game and playing the best game possible is more likely when one deeply understands the sport. All governments have competing interests and concerns that must be addressed, as well as their own policy priorities. They have a process for advancing priorities and those who can best engage in the process will have their voices heard. Those who choose not to engage will have no say in decisions that could fundamentally impact their ability to do their job.
Photo courtesy of SHCA
There is more success to be found playing as a team than going solo. The SHCA brings a voice on behalf of its members to key stakeholders and decision-makers. The association advocates on behalf of members who in turn benefit when their businesses grow.
The SHCA has also been on the board of the Saskatchewan Common Ground Alliance, where the association joins the ranks of the major Crowns as well as major mining and development companies. The SHCA also participated on the board of directors for the Saskatchewan Center of Excellence of Transportation and Innovation at the University of Saskatchewan. Once a year, the SHCA also meets with the federal members of parliament to talk about the importance of infrastructure on a national level.
Learning the sport
There are also opportunities for players to learn to play at a higher level and find more opportunities to put points on the board. Each player in the game is going to perform better when they dedicate themselves to learning the sport. This begins with knowing the most current information and status of government regulations, specifications and legislative changes affecting the industry.
The SHCA provides all current members with updates with the most recent information available. Delivered daily are e-news and tender information notifications. These notifications include information about the association events, news updates and technical notices for all members.
Strong players know who is who and what is what when it comes to their sport. The SHCA produces a popular rental rate guide, which is the definitive reference tool used by both the user and purchasers of SHCA’s members’ services. This guide can be accessed electronically, which makes it even more useful. While it comes out annually, the SHCA knows people are using it daily to inform and connect them to the people and services they require.
At least five times a year, members are invited to gather and network with others in the industry. At these events, such as the annual general meeting and the new Infrastructure Summit, speakers share valuable knowledge and viewpoints that will help members as they consider and conduct their own business. Each year, the calibre of speakers and events keep increasing.
Think BIG also continues to be a great tool for getting the industry’s messages out to the people and government. Through this publication, the SHCA promotes their vision, mandates and services, providing members with information related to what’s happening not only in Saskatchewan, but around the world.
Between Think BIG issues, the association’s social media accounts keep members and the public up to date about the latest industry developments. Follow SHCA’s Facebook and LinkedIn accounts to be notified about training opportunities and events, and see the industry and the people working in it celebrated.
Being a member also provides access to networking opportunities. At least five times a year, members are invited to gather and network with others in the industry. At these events, such as the annual general meeting and the new Infrastructure Summit, speakers share valuable knowledge and viewpoints that will help members as they consider and conduct their business. Each year, the calibre of speakers and events keep increasing.
It is important to consider who else attends these events. The SHCA has formal opportunities to listen to and be heard from, such as the panel of guests hosted from SaskBuilds, Priority Sask and the Ministry of Highways at SHCA’s 2024 spring meeting to talk about capital budget planning and procurement.
There are informal opportunities as well. Governments and key stakeholder groups often have their representatives attend SHCA events, such as the annual industry summit, giving members an opportunity to meet and casually discuss their interests.
Developing players
High-performing players also need to be strongly skilled and well-conditioned. That is where education and training come into the picture in helping members become high performers. The SHCA works with those who develop and provide education and training opportunities, so members and their employees have the skills and knowledge they need to be at the top of their game.
For example, the SHCA collaborates with the Asphalt Institute, which provides full days of training, such as the paving inspector certification session. Ministry of Highways officials have attended those sessions to explain why the ministry is making such training a mandatory requirement for paving crews working on their projects.
Think BIG also continues to be a great tool for getting the industry’s messages out to the people and government. Through this publication, the SHCA promotes their vision, mandates and services, providing members with information related to what’s happening not only in Saskatchewan, but around the world.
Watch SHCA’s social media to learn of upcoming opportunities to participate in training sessions. In June, SHCA’s sessions provided information and insight into procurement and contracting, contract law and risk management as well as Construction 101, which is training for introducing people interested in construction to the industry.
The SHCA also shared and supported opportunities for longer training courses to qualify people for careers in the industry. For example, there is the 36-week Heavy Equipment & Truck & Transport Technician Certificate program available through Southeast College in Estevan, which gives participants basic training in two high-demand mechanical trades at the same time as a heavy-duty equipment technician or transport mechanic.
To continue to develop players, coaches must keep adding people to the roster. They must send the message to those not yet in the game that they would enjoy playing and be welcomed onto the team. The SHCA actively encourages people to consider careers in the industry, working to demonstrate that heavy construction is a viable option for women, new Canadians and others who may wonder if they are a fit.
Practice how you play: how members can get make the most of their membership
How you practice is how you play. Approaching practice as an opportunity to strategically develop technically, mentally and socially will prepare SHCA members to play a stronger game. The benefits and resources offered by the SHCA empower members to stay competitive, adapt to industry changes and thrive in their market.
Those who are in business know they must invest money, time and energy to give the business the best chance at success. Investing time and effort to participate in what the association has to offer will also return a result.
There are many functions and services provided to the membership. Several have already been described, but another to take note of is SHCA’s affinity program. There are several opportunities for members to benefit from discounts on office supplies, work site supplies, shipping services, tires, and access to communication services and meeting facilities.
However, for the association to be as strong as it can be, members need to be active, engaged and involved. It takes a strong team to come together to bring forward ideas and information to formulate plans and put them into action. It requires people showing up in person to engage with one another to build the relationships needed to advance the industry’s interests.
